Get some rest: World Sleep Day draws attention to 'epidemic' of insufficient sleep

World Sleep Day (WSD) is not a day celebrating the siesta. Organizers want people around the world to take sleep seriously, and learn more about how a lack of good sleep impacts our health.

The first WSD was held on March 14th 2008, under the slogan "Sleep well, live fully awake." This year's theme is “Good Sleep, Healthy Aging." A press release from the World Association of Sleep Medicine WSD organizers explains that the slogan "draws needed attention to common complaints of sleep disturbance in older adults." 

Sleep stats

According to a 2009 CDC study, American adults ages 65 and older formed the second largest population reporting problems related to lack of sleep. The second largest group was adults between the ages of 18 and 25.

A major survey by the National Sleep Foundation found that more than half of Americans reported experiencing at least one symptoms of insomnia several times a week during the previous year.WSD organizers point to a number of factors that can add up to poor sleep among older adults:

• respiratory disorders
• changes in circadian sleep cycles
• medical and psychiatric illnesses
• increased medication

Rhythms of life

Even daylight saving time can throw off our sleep patterns. Losing just one hour in the spring can, according to an article on WebMD , disrupt the body's cycles:

"Moving our clocks in either direction changes the principal time cue--light--for setting and resetting our 24-hour natural cycle, or circadian rhythm. In doing so, our internal clock becomes out of sync or mismatched with our current day-night cycle." 

The WSD website says senior citizens may be particularly affected by the resetting of circadian rhythms.

Organizers at the World Association of Sleep Medicine warn: "Sleep disturbances have been shown to contribute to decreased quality of life, more symptoms of depression and anxiety, slower reaction times, memory problems, issues with balance and vision increasing risk of falls, and even death."

Hope for the sleep-deprived

WSD stresses that chronic insufficient sleep is a health problem that can be treated.

According to WSD information, sleep disorders such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, are more common in the elderly. But with diagnosis and specialty care, these issues can also be treated and even prevented. 

Help for sleep health

• The Mercy Health -- Sleep Center
• UC Health Sleep Medicine
• Sleep Management Institute
• St. Elizabeth Healthcare Sleep Disorders Centers
• Five major sleep disorders
• World Sleep Day's  "Golden Sleep Principles"  for parents with infants
• Read more about insufficient sleep from the CDC